LEGO Is Finally Embracing Minifigures With Disabilities

Even though there are so many LEGO figurines on the planet that if they were real people they'd be the world's largest population, the company has gotten flack in the past few years for their lack of diversity. Which is why people are ecstatic that the company debuted a new figure of a young boy in a zip-up sweatshirt, beanie, and wheelchair at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair this week.

Although this technically isn't their first wheelchair Minifigure, the previous toy featured an older man in the device, which people criticized as reinforcing stereotypes about wheelchairs only being for the elderly. A group called Toy Like Me even went so far as to create a Change.com petition lobbying for the toy manufacturer to represent kids with disabilities, which received more than 20,000 signatures.

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The group views LEGO's most recent news as a major step in the right direction: "We've got genuine tears of joy right now," Rebecca Atkinson of Toy Like Me said in a statement posted online. "LEGO we salute you! You've just made 150 million children, their mums, dad, nans, granddads, teachers, carers, pet dogs, and hamsters very VERY VERY happy!"

The figurine is part of the company's new "City" set, which will go on sale this June. Until then, here's a peek at the complete set to tide you over: